Enhancing Equity in Clinical Research: A Multifaceted Proposal for Spondyloarthritis.

Clinical research advances medical knowledge and improves healthcare outcomes. However, disparities in research participation hinder progress. The Unmet Research Needs in Spondyloarthritis Conference IV highlighted critical insights and strategies to enhance equity in clinical research.

Lung Cancer Screening Uptake Under the Revised United States Preventive Service Task Force Guideline: Assessing Disparities.

Background: Scanning with low-dose computed tomography reduces lung cancer mortality by 20% among high-risk individuals. Despite its efficacy, the uptake of lung cancer screening (LCS) remains low. Our study aimed to estimate state-level and nationwide LCS rates among eligible individuals and to assess disparities in LCS uptake.

Association of Limited Health Literacy With Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Individuals With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: Health literacy is an important social determinant of health, with limited health literacy associated with worse health outcomes. This study examined the associations between limited health literacy with patient-reported outcomes and disease activity/damage among 267 Black women with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) enrolled in the Peer Approaches to Lupus Self-Management (PALS) program.

Methods: The three-item Chew Health Literacy Screening was used to dichotomize those reporting in the "limited" range on any item with outcomes compared via generalized linear models.

The power of junior faculty mentoring committees.

Junior faculty mentoring committees have important roles in ensuring that faculty thrive and adjust to their new positions and institutions. Here, we describe the purpose, structure, and benefits of junior faculty mentoring committees, which can be a powerful tool for early-career academic investigators in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical (STEMM) fields. There is a paucity of information about what mentoring committees are, how to use them effectively, what areas they should evaluate, and how they can most successfully help junior faculty progress in their careers.

Technology accountability groups: A novel form of technology learning and support for graduate students and faculty in STEM.

In academia, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), writing accountability groups have emerged as an effective technique to enhance writing productivity by offering structure, increasing the commitment to write, and fostering social commitment. The rapid development of technology has introduced a new challenge across STEM fields: technostress, where individuals face heightened stress due to novel applications of technology. To address this, we introduce Technology Accountability Groups (TAGs), a novel form of community support for graduate students and faculty.

The Influence of Social Dynamics on Biological Aging and the Health of Historically Marginalized Populations: A Biopsychosocial Model for Health Disparities.

Historically marginalized populations are susceptible to social isolation resulting from their unique social dynamics; thus, they incur a higher risk of developing chronic diseases across the course of life. Research has suggested that the cumulative effect of aging trajectories per se, across the lifespan, determines later-in-life disease risks. Emerging evidence has shown the biopsychosocial effects of social stress and social support on one's wellbeing in terms of inflammation.

The graduate school guide: How to prepare for the qualifying exam and assemble a thesis/graduate committee.

Qualifying exams and thesis committees are crucial components of a PhD candidate's journey. However, many candidates have trouble navigating these milestones and knowing what to expect. This article provides advice on meeting the requirements of the qualifying exam, understanding its format and components, choosing effective preparation strategies, retaking the qualifying exam, if necessary, and selecting a thesis committee, all while maintaining one's mental health.

Older adults using social support to improve self-care (OASIS): Adaptation, implementation and feasibility of peer support for older adults with T2D in appalachia: A feasibility study protocol.

Introduction: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is 17% higher in rural dwellers compared to their urban counterparts, and it increases with age, with an estimated 25% of older adults (≥ 65 years) diagnosed. Appropriate self-care is necessary for optimal clinical outcomes. Overall, T2D self-care is consistently poor among the general population but is even worse in rural-dwellers and older adults.

Reimagining bioRxiv and preprint servers as platforms for academic learning.

A popular preprint server, bioRxiv, is important as a tool for increased visibility for life science research. If used properly, however, bioRxiv can also be an important tool for training, as it may expose trainees (degree-seeking students undertaking research or internships directly related to their field of study) to the peer review process. Here, we offer a comprehensive guide to using bioRxiv as a training tool, as well as offer suggestions for improvements in bioRxiv, including confusion that may be caused by bioRxiv articles appearing on PubMed.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on social isolation and loneliness among minority populations.

Background: The impact of social isolation and loneliness (SIL) was heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the pandemic disproportionately affected racial/ ethnic minorities, no studies have investigated the ramifications of the pandemic on SIL among these populations. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and pervasiveness of SIL during the COVID-19 pandemic on minority communities.

Disparities in Lupus and the Role of Social Determinants of Health: Current State of Knowledge and Directions for Future Research.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease. The complex relationships between race and ethnicity and social determinants of health (SDOH) in influencing SLE and its course are increasingly appreciated. Multiple SDOH have been strongly associated with lupus incidence and outcomes and contribute to health disparities in lupus.

Assessing the availability of trusted health information in a rural Appalachia community using social network analysis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how trusted health information is transmitted within a rural Appalachian community. Egocentric social network methods were used to identify and characterize influential community members ("alters") that participants ("egos") go to for trusted health advice. Friends and "other health professionals" were named most frequently as health advice alters, and health advice was described as frequent and helpful.

Formative research to promote lupus awareness and early screening at Historically Black College and University (HBCU) communities in South Carolina.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus is a severe chronic autoimmune disorder that disproportionately impacts young African Americans. Increasing lupus awareness in this high-risk group may be an effective approach to ultimately improving lupus outcomes. To begin to address this disparity, this report describes qualitative data to be utilized in the development of a campaign to enhance awareness of lupus on Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) campuses.

Social Factors, Epigenomics and Lupus in African American Women (SELA) Study: protocol for an observational mechanistic study examining the interplay of multiple individual and social factors on lupus outcomes in a health disparity population.

Introduction: Despite the disproportional impact of SLE on historically marginalised communities, the individual and sociocultural factors underlying these health disparities remain elusive. We report the design and methods for a study aimed at identifying epigenetic biomarkers associated with racism and resiliency that affect gene function and thereby influence SLE in a health disparity population.

Methods And Analysis: The Social Factors, Epigenomics and Lupus in African American Women (SELA) Study is a cross-sectional, case-control study.

Predicting HPV vaccination among Tdap vaccinated adolescents in Georgia at the county level.

Purpose: Vaccinations are reported at the state level, but services are delivered at the county level through health departments (HD). This research contributes statistical models to predict county level HPV vaccination.

Methods: Using a cross sectional study design, secondary data were analyzed for the years 2016-2018 for all counties of GA.

Spatial patterns of HPV and Tdap vaccine dose administration and the association of health department clinic access in Georgia counties.

Objective: To characterize counties in GA by quantifying administered doses of the HPV and Tdap vaccines collected by the state health department immunization registry and indicators of Health Department (HD) clinic access.

Methods: Using a cross sectional study design, secondary data were collected from public health data sources for the years 2016 to 2018 for 159 counties of Georgia. The study population was male and female adolescents aged 13-17.

The Effect of Travel Burden on Depression and Anxiety in African American Women Living with Systemic Lupus.

The United States has a deficit of rheumatology specialists. This leads to an increased burden in accessing care for patients requiring specialized care. Given that most rheumatologists are located in urban centers at large hospitals, many lupus patients must travel long distances for routine appointments.

Support Methodologies for African American Women With Lupus - Comparing Three Methods' Effects on Patient Activation and Coping.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues. While pharmaceutical therapies are an important part of disease management, behavioral interventions have been implemented to increase patients' disease self-management skills, provide social support, and encourage patients to take a more active role in their care. Three interventions are considered in this study; peer-to-peer methodology, patient support group, and a patient navigator program that were implemented among largely African American women with SLE at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).

The Care-coordination Approach to Learning Lupus Self-Management: a patient navigator intervention for systemic lupus inpatients.

Objective: The Care-coordination Approach to Learning Lupus Self-Management (CALLS) study was designed to improve SLE disease self-management. This study aims to assess the benefits of the intervention compared with existing lupus care.

Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to participate in 12-weekly phone sessions with the patient navigator that included structured educational content, care coordination and patient-centred support services, or a usual care control condition.

Feasibility and preliminary data for a State-wide South Carolina Lupus Registry.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus is an autoimmune disorder whose cause and reason for disproportionate impact on minorities remains enigmatic. Furthermore, statistics describing lupus incidence and prevalence are outdated and often based on small samples. To begin to address this disparity this report describes preliminary data to be utilized in the development of a state-wide lupus registry in South Carolina.

Examining Racial Differences in Access to Primary Care for People Living with Lupus: Use of Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions to Measure Access.

Background: People living with lupus may experience poor access to primary care and delayed specialty care.

Purpose: To identify characteristics that lead to increased odds of poor access to primary care for minorities hospitalized with lupus.

Methods: Cross-sectional design with 2011-2012 hospitalization data from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida.